Senior citizens and fisherfolks Felino and Blesilda Fajardo of Hagonoy, Bulacan, are among those who were assisted by OMF and Meralco so they could have their own access to electricity after decades of stay in the island community.
In the isolated fishing community of Barangay Pugad in Hagonoy, Bulacan, 47 low-income households are experiencing a new chapter of comfort and dignity after Manuel V. Pangilinan-led One Meralco Foundation energized their homes through its Household Electrification Program. Working with Meralco’s Malolos Business Center, the Plaridel Sector Office, and the local government, the foundation extended both technical expertise and financial assistance to help vulnerable families secure their own service accounts with the power distributor.
Reached only by a 30-minute boat ride from Paombong port, Isla Pugad has long been cut off from basic services easily accessible to nearby towns. Many residents rely on fishing, boat rentals, and selling produce in local markets to make ends meet. Until recently, most households could not afford to build service entrances for electricity, forcing them to depend on submetering arrangements that offered little control over costs and limited power use.
For senior citizens Felino and Blesilda Fajardo, electricity had always come through a neighbor’s connection, a compromise born out of necessity rather than choice. Felino shared that their bill reached about P300 a month despite using only an electric fan and a few lights at night, particularly when preparing their fishing nets. When Meralco teams arrived and offered assistance through the foundation’s program, the couple immediately applied, hopeful for long-awaited change. Now with their own meter, they have full control of their consumption, can save more, and are looking forward to adding simple entertainment appliances at home—small comforts that once felt out of reach.
The Household Electrification Program was made possible by the efforts of Barangay Pugad, led by Capt. Jimmy Gregorio (4th from left), the local government of Hagonoy represented by Executive Assistant to Mayor Charo Sy-Alvarado (6th from left) and Meralco, led by Head of Home & Micro North Business Alleni O. Pascual (6th from right).
Barangay Captain Jimmy Gregorio expressed deep appreciation for the continued support from Meralco and the foundation, recalling how their interventions—from clearing hazardous dangling wires to enabling low-income households to secure individual connections—have brought the barangay closer to its dream of ensuring every home has safe and independent access to power. He said these efforts are vital steps toward finally energizing the entire community despite the geographical challenges.
One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao emphasized the significance of the project, noting that reliable electricity should be accessible to everyone, no matter how distant or difficult the terrain. He shared that overcoming logistical, financial, and geographical barriers in Barangay Pugad has created opportunities for families to work more efficiently, study more comfortably, and build better lives. He affirmed that the foundation remains committed to ensuring no Filipino household is left in the dark.
Since its launch in 2011, the Household Electrification Program has brought safe and stable power to more than 85,000 low-income homes within the Meralco franchise area, helping vulnerable families become more productive, improve their income, and contribute to the progress of their communities.
